Have you thought about how you’ll get through those long summer holidays? Do you have a patch of ground outside your back door, even if it’s just a patio? Yes? Then I have the answer: digging. All you need is a spade (or a shovel, sand and a tuff spot if your space is completely […]
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When faced with familiar situations, we don’t have to think too hard. We have a mental map, a schema, for how a ball will drop because of hours spent testing this out as children. And we instinctively recoil from spiders. Our ancestors learnt to do that to survive. But what about those situations where we
Getting things done | Your child’s executive functions Read More »
Puppet play is not just an amusing game for your little ones. It’s a powerful developmental learning tool that offers a multitude of cognitive, emotional, and social benefits for preschoolers. We’ll take a look at how puppet play can not only foster a better sense of empathy and self-expression, but also enable children to be
Playing with puppets | A magical tool for language Read More »
Here is a toddler and here is a cardboard box. Curious, the little boy crawls inside. He peers out, like a fox from his den, pleased with his work. He tugs at one of the flaps. Now you see me, now you don’t. It’s a discovery that amuses him greatly and he repeats the action
How many languages does your child speak? Just one? Maybe two? Educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy, believe that they have one hundred. Not spoken languages, of course, but ways of expressing themselves.Dance, art and music, sculpture, construction and song. Your child can speak in many ways. It’s tempting to measure our children’s capabilities by what
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Snap! I win! You lose! You might be surprised to know that card games aren’t just for passing the time or for family fun nights—they are excellent tools to boost the development of your preschooler in many ways. Here’s why you should consider incorporating card games into your child’s activities and which ones are best
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Sorting is the most important activity your child will ever do. Without it, no other kinds of play are possible. And done right it’s a superpower. In this simple guide we’ll explore different sorting activities and how best to introduce them. What is sorting and why is it important? Sorting is simple. Just group things
Sorting activities | Help to your child organise her thinking Read More »
It’s tempting to think of dance as a talent, or a natural gift that some children can do and others can’t. But dance is something all children can enjoy, regardless of their ability. It can also feed into and cement many aspects of learning and development. The developmental benefits of dance for preschoolers Dance offers
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Do you cook with your child? If so, why do you think she finds it so interesting? Children love to join in with grown-up activities. So much of play is about rehearsing for ‘real life’ but there is something else going on here. Cooking is fun and interesting. You mix things together and a change
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Listening activities for young children are an important part of early childhood development. From story time to music appreciation, these top listening activities provide a foundation for learning and social skills that will last throughout their lives. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of these activities, the different types of materials available, strategies
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